Latest from Michael Cooper

Springfield city commissioners discussed several goals to improve the city this year, including a study of the local housing stock and repairing neighborhood streets. MORE: New housing a priority in Clark County in 2018 The commission discussed its priorities for this year as part of its annual retreat held Friday night and Saturday morning...

In the wake of a dental crisis in Clark County, local organizations want to improve dental health throughout the community. FIRST REPORT: Health district to pursue fluoridation in Springfield, New Carlisle More than 32 percent of Clark County residents have had between one and five permanent teeth removed because of tooth decay or gum disease...

A Springfield woman is facing multiple charges after she allegedly assaulted a man she knows for bashing former President Barack Obama, according to a police report. MORE CRIME: Springfield man accused of biting woman’s face during argument Carla J. Carter, 51, has been charged with domestic violence and assault, court records said...

Air conditioning units and copper pipe were reported stolen from both a church and a restaurant this week, according to police reports. Two free-standing 2-ton air conditioning units and copper pipe were reported stolen from the First Church of the Nazerene, 901 E. Home Road, between 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 4 p.m. Monday. An air conditioning...

Clark County ranks among the worst in Ohio for children’s dental health, but the Springfield community remains divided over whether it should fluoridate its drinking water to address it. Clark County health leaders and local dentists believe adding fluoride to the public water supply will reduce dental decay but a vocal group of residents...

The Clark County Fairgrounds at Champions Park will spend about $170,000 this spring to make improvements to its facilities, including installing air conditioning at one of its buildings, which officials say will allow it to bring more events to Springfield. The fairgrounds and Champions Center account for half of Clark County’s local...

A Springfield man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly bit a woman’s face because she wouldn’t buy drugs, according to a police report. Antonio Leffel, 38, pleaded not guilty to both domestic violence and assault charges on Feb. 9 in Clark County Municipal Court. Bond was set at $2,000. Police were sent to the intersection...

An employee at Family Dollar on North Limestone Street was assaulted after two women became upset that a video of them allegedly shoplifting earlier in the day had been posted on Facebook by the store’s manager, according to a police report. Springfield Police Division officers were called to the store about 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The...

A Springfield man was robbed by six men with guns as he attempted to go to a friend’s apartment on Saturday evening, according to a police report. The man went to visit a friend’s apartment in the 900 block of Sunset Avenue at about 9 p.m., the report said. As he entered the apartment complex on Sunset Avenue, the man saw feet...

A permanent traffic signal at a controversial intersection near a busy shopping corridor in Springfield is expected to be ready later this month. The signal — paid for by developers of the recent Hobby Lobby store north of Walmart — will replace temporary lights placed at the intersection years ago, Springfield City Engineer Leo...

A local magistrate will challenge a recently appointed judge at the polls in May to become the next Clark County Juvenile Court Judge — a position that handles cases for more than 4,000 children annually with a more than $4.5 million general fund budget. MORE: 3 Republicans in running to replace Clark County juvenile court judge Republican...

A Springfield man is facing charges after he allegedly robbed a gas station with a knife earlier this week. MORE: Springfield man gave false name, arrested on multiple warrants Anthony D. Marshall, 38, pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery charges in Clark County Municipal Court on Wednesday morning. Bond was set at $20,000. Springfield...

A Springfield man wants to improve food-scrap recycling throughout Clark County by building a more than $500,000 odor-free composting center east of downtown. The business wants to turn food waste from medium-sized businesses, such as restaurants, hospitals and schools, into compost at a proposed site at 256 Linden Ave., Springfield resident...

A Springfield man was arrested on several outstanding warrants earlier this week after he allegedly gave officers a fake name during a traffic stop. MORE: Suspect in Springfield drug raid thrown out of court twice Brian T. Thomas, 30, pleaded not guilty to falsification charges in the Clark County Municipal Court on Tuesday. Bond was set...

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is one of six organizations to receive a $675,000 grant as part of a national initiative to strengthen law enforcement’s response to sexual and domestic violence. The competitive grant was awarded in January by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. RELATED: Springfield man accused...

A Springfield man faces multiple felony charges after deputies alleged they found more than 20 grams of drugs and $4,000 at his home during a raid Monday. MORE: New Carlisle man accused of striking, ordering dog to attack man Michael A. Hill, 32, has been charged with five counts each of drug possession and distribution of drugs and a single...

A New Carlisle man is facing multiple charges after he was accused of striking two men and setting his dog on them during a fight last year. MORE CRIME: Springfield man accused of threatening to kill children’s mother Tyler J. Hughes, 1250 Frayne Drive, has been charged with two counts of assault and one count of criminal trespassing...

A woman killed in a crash early Sunday is 22-year-old Kelsey A. Robinson. The city resident struck a utility pole about 6:30 a.m. in the 200 block of East Street, according to a Springfield Police Division crash report. No one else was injured in the single-car crash. Robinson’s was the first fatal traffic accident in Springfield this...

The city of Springfield has implemented several recommendations from a citizens group tasked with analyzing its budget two years ago, including increasing revenue and eliminating its golf course subsidy, leaders said. In January 2016, the city selected 24 residents to participate in its Community Financial Advisory Committee to analyze its...